One of my greatest strengths over the last 55 years of pastoring has been my love for reading, studying, and learning. A Pastor is called on to do various things, but the most important thing is the quality of his teaching and preaching. People don’t go to church because it is their duty; they go because they want to experience God and learn how to live a life that is pleasing to Him. Anointed preaching and teaching of the Bible so that it becomes life-giving is the engine that makes any church go. Good preaching has several ingredients, but a major one is good studying and preparation. There has to be substance to the content. 

Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.

1 Timothy 4:16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

My Mom read to me a lot before I could read, and then when I could, she would constantly take me to the library, and we would leave with a big box of books. It wasn’t simply the ability to read that I got, but the love of learning. 

After I started pastoring, I read commentaries on the Bible, many books on leadership, books written by successful pastors who had built huge churches, and books on the various skills that I needed to be a good Pastor. Besides reading their books, I took many successful pastors out for lunch, getting counsel from them and picking their brains for some information that would help me. Now, at this stage in my life, I am trying to pass on information I have learned to some young pastors and pastor wannabes.